In this Palm Sunday episode of The Lenten Path, Gerald invites us into Holy Week with a powerful reflection on Christ’s humility and the call to imitate His self-emptying love. Drawing from Philippians 2, he reminds us that Jesus, though divine, chose the path of suffering and servitude for our salvation. This same humility is mirrored in the Eucharist, where Christ continues to pour Himself out for us.
Gerald also shares moving stories from his time in prison ministry, where volunteers brought the love of Christ to incarcerated men—meeting them with dignity, compassion, and brotherhood. As we approach the Triduum, we are challenged to reflect on Christ’s passion, meditate on His sacrifice, and follow His example of humble service. How is God calling you to empty yourself in love this Holy Week?
In one of our final episodes of The Lenten Path, we reflect on Mary’s presence at the foot of the cross and the powerful exchange of love as Jesus gives His mother to us: “Behold your mother.” As we enter Holy Week, we’re reminded that Mary’s witness is one of courage, faith, and unwavering hope—even in the face of suffering and loss.
Through her example, we’re invited to stand firm in our faith and trust in God's plan, no matter how difficult. As we contemplate Christ’s passion, let us also receive anew the gift of Mary’s maternal care, allowing her to guide us more deeply into the mystery of His death and resurrection.
In this episode of The Lenten Path, Ryan reflects on one of the hardest yet most powerful Lenten fasts: fasting from revenge. Drawing from Jesus’ words on the cross—“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”—Ryan invites us to consider the ways resentment and anger can close our hearts to God’s mercy.
True justice, he reminds us, belongs to God alone. As Holy Week approaches, we are called to release our need for vengeance and open ourselves to the healing power of forgiveness. When we let mercy flow through us, we become instruments of grace—for others and for ourselves.
In this episode of The Lenten Path, Mary reflects on one of the most personal and challenging acts of surrender—letting go of the desire to control others. Whether it’s with family, friends, or strangers, we often believe we know what’s best and struggle when people don’t change according to our expectations.
Drawing from Romans 14 and the example of Christ, Mary reminds us that God—not us—is the master of every heart. Through prayer, trust, and letting go of outcomes, we’re invited to step back and allow God to do what only He can. This Lent, may we surrender control and grow in love that trusts more than it insists.
In this episode of The Lenten Path, Angie reflects on the power of mercy and the depth of Christ’s sacrifice as we approach Holy Week. Inspired by her own children’s reactions to the Living Stations of the Cross, she shares a heartfelt moment that prompts a deeper question: would we have said yes to the cross the way Jesus did?
Through personal stories and a moving reflection on the humanity of Jesus—his fear, anxiety, and love—Angie invites us to enter into gratitude. This Lent, we are called not only to recognize our suffering and joy, but to give thanks for the mercy and love of a Savior who gave everything for us.
In this episode of The Lenten Path, Mark reflects on the quiet strength of Jesus, who, even in the face of rejection and sacrifice, trusted fully in the presence of God the Father. Drawing from John 8, he invites us to consider how we, too, can find peace in knowing we are never alone—especially when loving others is difficult.
Mark challenges us to see love of neighbor not as a lofty ideal, but as a concrete and sometimes uncomfortable calling. From political divisions to personal frustrations, Lent asks us to seek God in the messy, human moments of daily life. When compassion is costly and love feels inconvenient, we’re reminded of Jesus’s promise: “He has not left me alone.”
In this episode of The Lenten Path, Kate invites us into a heartfelt reflection on thanksgiving and the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Through the tender memory of accompanying her granddaughter to her first confession, Kate explores the joy and freedom that come from encountering God’s mercy.
Drawing inspiration from Psalm 32—"Blessed is the one whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven"—Kate reminds us that confession is not about shame, but about returning home. She shares a powerful insight from Fr. Mike Schmitz, who describes the confessional as the most joyful, humbling, and inspiring place in the world—a sacred space where God’s love always wins.
In this episode of The Lenten Path, Gerald reflects on the powerful story of the woman caught in adultery and the mercy of Jesus that transforms shame into healing. As we journey through the 5th Sunday of Lent, he explores how Christ’s words—"Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."—reveal a love that forgives, restores, and invites us into a deeper relationship with God.
Drawing from John 8 and the imagery of living water from the Feast of Tabernacles, Gerald connects this encounter to the gift of the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation. Through personal stories, including his experience in prison ministry, he reminds us that no one is beyond redemption, and that God's mercy flows to all who seek it with a sincere heart.
Join us on The Lenten Path as we reflect on Mary’s silent strength and unwavering surrender. This week, we explore her presentation of Jesus in the temple—a moment not marked by words, but by deep, interior sacrifice. Though sinless, Mary submitted to the law of purification, humbly aligning herself with God's will and foreshadowing her greater offering to come.
By presenting Jesus, Mary gave her Son not only to God, but to us. Her silent "yes" echoed her fiat from the Annunciation, and in doing so, she joined God the Father in the gift of our salvation. Like Mary, may we have the courage to say “yes” to God’s will, especially in the quiet, hidden moments of faith. What might God be asking you to surrender today?
Join us on The Lenten Path as we reflect on fasting—not just from food, but from ignorance. How well do we truly know Jesus? Today’s Gospel (John 7:28-29) reminds us that while many recognized Jesus, they did not fully know the One who sent Him.
Fasting from ignorance means making an intentional effort to grow in faith. Whether through reading Scripture, deepening our prayer life, or exploring Church teachings, learning more about God helps us draw closer to Him. This Lent, let’s commit to filling the empty spaces left by fasting with the knowledge and love of Christ. What steps will you take to know Him more?
Join us on The Lenten Path as we reflect on the struggle of seeking approval. Too often, we measure our worth by how others perceive us, chasing validation and fearing rejection. Yet Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:1 that righteousness is not for show, and in John 5:30, He shows us the freedom of living for God's will rather than human praise.
This Lent, we are called to surrender the need for approval and rest in the security of God’s love. By shifting our focus to honoring Him, we can find peace, boldness, and true purpose. What fears or expectations do you need to let go of to live more fully in God’s grace?
Join us on The Lenten Path as we reflect on the boundless mercy of Christ. Through personal stories of struggle and redemption, we are reminded that God’s love is unwavering, not dependent on our successes or failures. Just as a parent’s love endures despite a child’s missteps, so too does God’s mercy remain, embracing us even in our moments of doubt and imperfection.
This Lent, we are invited to rest in the assurance that we are His—always and forever. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was His ultimate declaration: You are all that matters. No failure is too great for His love. As we continue our journey, let us trust in His mercy, knowing that He sees us, loves us, and calls us His own. What burdens do you need to surrender to His unfailing love today?
Join us on The Lenten Path as Mark reflects on Jesus’ question in John 5: “Do you want to be well?” At the pool of Bethesda, a man who had been ill for 38 years waited for healing, yet when Jesus approached him, He didn’t offer help into the water—He simply told him to rise and walk. This passage challenges us to examine the ways we seek healing and whether we truly open our hearts to the transformation Christ offers.
Like the man at Bethesda, we can grow accustomed to our struggles, even when they weigh us down. Yet Jesus sees us in our waiting, inviting us to step forward in faith. Healing may not always come in the way we expect, but every step toward Christ is a step toward renewal. This Lent, let us bring our wounds to Him, trusting in His power to restore and make us whole.
Join us on The Lenten Path as we reflect on how God is creating something new within us this season. As we pass the halfway mark of Lent, we are invited to pause and evaluate—are we staying intentional in our sacrifices, prayers, and acts of service?
Lent is a time of discipline, a call to deepen our commitment to Christ with purpose and perseverance. When distractions arise, we are reminded that every day is a chance to begin again. Let us embrace this sacred journey with renewed dedication, trusting that God is at work within us. How is He transforming you today?
Join us on The Lenten Path as we reflect on our call to be ambassadors for Christ. St. Paul reminds us that, through Christ, we are made new and entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. But what does it mean to represent Christ in our daily lives?
Drawing from the life of St. John Bosco, we see how love, kindness, and mercy can transform hearts. Whether through acts of service, sharing faith with a stranger, or simply being a light in our communities, we are called to carry Christ’s love wherever we go. This week, how will you be an ambassador for Christ?
Join us on The Lenten Path as we continue our journey of reflection and renewal. This week, we explore Mary’s final recorded words in Scripture: “Do whatever He tells you.” At the wedding in Cana, Mary’s quiet yet powerful intercession sets the stage for Jesus’ first public miracle, reminding us of the depth of her faith and trust in Him.
Through her example, we are called to surrender our own will and embrace God’s plan, even when the timing is uncertain. This Lent, let us listen to Mary’s advice, trusting that obedience to Christ leads to transformation. What is He asking of you today?
Join us on The Lenten Path as Ryan reflects on fasting from idolatry and putting God first. Inspired by Mark 12:28-34, he challenges us to examine what holds power over our hearts. Sometimes, the things we rely on—like our phones, habits, or comforts—can quietly take God’s place in our lives.
Ryan shares how fasting from his phone revealed a deeper spiritual attachment, reminding us that true trust belongs to God alone. Today’s challenge: reflect on your Lenten fast. What was hard to give up? Has it brought you closer to God? This Lent, let us surrender distractions and seek Him with our whole hearts.
Join us on The Lenten Path as Mary reflects on surrendering worry and trusting in God’s peace. Inspired by Philippians 4:6-7, she reminds us that instead of being consumed by anxiety, we are called to bring everything to God in prayer. Worry drains us, but prayer fills us. True peace doesn’t come from controlling our circumstances but from trusting that God is in control.
Mary offers a three-step challenge: identify your worries, turn them into prayer, and replace them with gratitude. By reflecting on God’s past faithfulness, we can strengthen our trust in Him. This Lent, let us surrender our fears and embrace the peace that only Christ can give.
Join us on The Lenten Path as Mark reflects on trusting God through prayer, drawing inspiration from Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel. Faced with uncertainty, Mary surrendered completely, showing us that trust is not about having all the answers but believing in the One who does. Her simple yet profound words—“Let it be done to me according to your word”—invite us to embrace faith even when the path ahead is unclear.
Mark shares his personal journey of trust through the foster care and adoption process, an experience that required constant surrender to God’s plan. Just as Mary trusted, we too are called to place our fears and uncertainties in God’s hands. This Lent, let us not only bring our struggles to prayer but truly surrender them, trusting that nothing is impossible for God.
(If you want to reach out to Mark with questions about foster care or adoption, you can email him at MVallone@ap.church.)
oin us on The Lenten Path as Angie reflects on the gift of mercy and the challenge of holding onto hope. Inspired by Romans 5:5-8, she reminds us that “hope does not disappoint” because God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. As the Church prepares those entering the faith through OCIA, Angie emphasizes that baptism is the beginning of transformation for all of us, calling us to live with greater faith and mercy.
Too often, we judge quickly and withhold compassion—from strangers, loved ones, or those whose struggles we don’t understand. Yet, if Christ is always ready to love and forgive us, how can we not extend that same mercy? Angie challenges us to let go of judgment, embrace hope, and reflect God’s love in our daily lives.